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Draft Minutes of the Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, ,

Present: Executive Board of PGC Mr Vidhya Lakhan, President (Chairman) Mr Marcus Stephen, Vice President – Sport Mr Laurent Cassier, Vice President – Marketing Ms Tamzin Wardley, Vice President – Audit & Finance Mr Ryan Pini, Athletes’ Representative Mr Andrew Minogue, Chief Executive Officer

Past Presidents of PGC Mr Roger Kaddour, Nouvelle Calédonie Sir John Dawanincura, (President, PGA) Mr Ricardo Blas, (President, PGA; Secretary-General, ONOC)

Pacific Games Associations (PGAs) Mr Etisone Imo, President, Mr Ethan Lake, Secretary-General, American Samoa Mr Hugh Graham, President, Mr Owen Lewis, Secretary-General, Cook Islands Mr Castro Joab, Delegate, Federated States of Micronesia Mr Rendy Germinaro, Delegate, Federated States of Micronesia Mrs Makarita Lenoa, President, Ms Lorraine Mar, Secretary-General, Fiji Mr Joey Miranda III, Delegate, Guam Ms Sandra Miller, Delegate, Guam Mr Nicholas McDermott, President, Mr Tenoa Betene, Secretary-General, Kiribati Mr Terry Sasser, Secretary-General, Mr Dogabe Jeremiah, Vice President, Ms Leona Cain, Delegate, Nauru Mr Maru Talagi, President, Mr Mal Tarrant, President, Ms Sheryl Yelavich, Delegate, Norfolk Island Mr Michael A. White, President, Mr Charles Cali, President, Nouvelle Calédonie Mr Michel Quintin, Directeur, Nouvelle Calédonie Mr Frank Kyota, President, Ms Baklai Temengil, Secretary-General, Palau Ms Auvita Rapilla, Secretary-General, Papua New Guinea Mr Patrick Fepuleai, President, Samoa Mr Matthew Vaea, CEO, Samoa Mr Martin Rara, President, Ms Melinda Avosa, Secretary-General, Solomon Islands Mr Louis Provost, President, Tahiti Nui

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Mr Michel Sommers, Delegate, Tahiti Nui Mr Charles Villierme, Delegate, Tahiti Nui Lord Tevita Tupou, President, Mr ‘Amanaki Fakakovikaetau, Delegate, Tonga Mr Okilani Tinilau, Delegate, Mr Antoine Boudier, President, Mr Cyrille Mainguy, Secretary-General, Vanuatu Mr Etuato Mulikihaamea, President, Wallis et Futuna

Observers: Government Representatives The Hon. Loau Keneti Sio, Minister for Sport & Chairman of Samoa 2019 Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, American Samoa Congressman Marco T. Peter, Special Envoy, Northern Mariana Islands

Oceania National Olympic Committees Representatives Dr Robin Mitchell, President (IOC Executive Board Member) Ms Karo Lelai, Chair, Athletes’ Commission Mr Meli Cavu Mr Michael Kohn Ms Sainimili Saukuru

Invited National Olympic Committees Ms Helen Brownlee, Vice President, Australian Olympic Committee Mr Matt Carroll, Secretary-General, Australian Olympic Committee Ms Kereyn Smith, Secretary-General, Olympic Committee

Commonwealth Games Federation and Member Associations Mr Richard deGroen Mr Craig Phillips, CEO,

Pacific Games Organising Committees Ms Ida Fuimaono, Samoa 2019 Ms Dikaiosune Atoa, Samoa 2019 Mr Christian Nieng, Solomon Islands 2023 Mr Clint Flood, Solomon Islands 2023

Oceania Federations Mr Geoff Gardner, President, Oceania Athletics Association Ms Yvonne Mullins, Executive Director, Oceania Athletics Association Mr Bob Snow, Oceania Athletics Association Mr Rob Gomm, International Cricket Council Mr Patrick Keenan, Oceania Cycling Confederation

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

1. CALL TO ORDER

The President of the Pacific Games Council, Mr Vidhya Lakhan (Chair of the meeting), called the meeting to order at 9.00am on Sunday 14 July and invited Mrs Makarita Lenoa (President, Fiji PGA) to lead the General Assembly in prayer. The Chairman then invited delegates to stand for a minute’s silence in honour the late ONOC Executive Director, Mr Dennis Miller.

2. ROLL CALL AND APOLOGIES

Andrew Minogue (Chief Executive Officer) called the roll and 20 of the 22 Pacific Games Associations (PGAs) were recorded as present. A delegate from Tuvalu joined the meeting thereafter to bring the total of members present to 21. was absent.

The Chairman announced that the meeting had obtained the necessary quorum as per Article 13.4 of the Charter.

The Chairman called for any individual apologies to be recorded. OSFO Chairman Kevan Gosper’s apology was recorded.

3. OFFICIAL OPENING ADDRESSES

The Chairman formally welcomed the 21 PGAs to the meeting, as well as three former Presidents of the Council, Roger Kaddour, Sir John Dawanincura and Ricardo Blas, ONOC President Dr Robin Mitchell, CGF Vice President (Oceania) Hugh Graham, the Australian and New Zealand Olympic Committees and members of the Oceania Federations, and finally the Samoan Minister for Sport, the Honorable Loau Keneti Sio. He also wished the French-speaking delegations a happy 14 July Independence Day.

The Chairman thanked Samoa PGA President, Patrick Fepulea’i as well as the Prime Minister, Minister for Sport and Government of Samoa, plus the Games Organising Committee, for the excellent work in organising the 2019 Pacific Games in less than 18 months. These were the biggest Games ever seen thus far, with record numbers of participants, and the first week of competition had proceeded smoothly. He paid special tribute to the Faleula Methodist Church community for housing the athletes.

The Chairman said that since the 2018 General Assembly, a great deal of activity had transpired. The Council’s principal focus had been on assisting Samoa’s preparations for the 2019 Pacific Games. Aside from that, and as directed by the 2018 General Assembly, bids for the 2025 had been re-opened. An evaluation report had been circulated on Palau’s bid with American Samoa’s bid not being evaluated due to non-compliance. This would be discussed later in the agenda.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Contrary to statements made at the Pacific Sports Ministers meeting in Apia on 6 July, the Chairman said the Council’s legal action against the Government of Tonga remained before the courts. Queen’s Counsel on both sides had agreed to proceed with the case after the Samoa 2019 edition of the Games had concluded so that a more accurate assessment of brand damage could be made.

The Chairman said that in some quarters there seemed to be little respect or appreciation for the Council’s charter and its autonomy. He had suggested to the Ministers at their meeting that an MOU agreement with their respective PGA/NOC would clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party and would remain a useful reference point for any new Ministers when Governments changed. He urged all PGAs to make this a priority going forward, noting that a template was available via ANOC. He also urged PGAs to ensure they were legally registered in their respective territories, especially those who wished to host Games and enter contracts with the Council.

The Chairman reported that the Council incurred a small loss in 2018, which was not out of the ordinary. He said the Audit & Finance Committee report would elaborate further, but that the Council would be reviewing its reserves policy over the next 12 months so that more financial benefits could be returned to members.

Lastly in terms of the agenda, the Chairman said delegates had an historic opportunity to finally accept Australia and New Zealand into the fold through their associate membership applications. He noted that their athletes had made a great contribution to the first week of the Games as they had in four years earlier. The Council also had a very special and unique opportunity to bestow life membership on one of the founders of the Games, Mr Roger Kaddour.

Finally, the Chairman thanked the Executive Board members and the Chief Executive Officer for their contributions, and he gave special thanks for the work of the Athletes’ Representative, Ryan Pini, whose first term in office was ending at the Games.

The Chairman then called upon Mr Patrick Fepulea’i, President of the host PGA, to give his welcome address.

Patrick Fepulea’i (Samoa) welcomed delegates to Apia on behalf of the Samoan PGA and said it was an honour to be able to address the meeting. He thanked the delegates for working cooperatively together for the benefit of the athletes and for supporting Samoa’s hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games. He also thanked the Council for its support and paid tribute to the Minister for Sport and Chairman of the Games Organising Committee, the Honorable Loau Keneti Sio, for his outstanding leadership.

Patrick Fepulea’i wished all delegates a successful second week of the Games and an enjoyable remainder of their stay in Samoa.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chairman thanked Patrick Fepulea’i for his remarks and then asked delegates to welcome the Honorable Loau Keneti Sio, Minister for Sport and Chairman of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee.

The Honorable Minister greeted delegates with a Talofa Lava on behalf of the Samoan Government and warmly welcomed them to Apia. He expressed the hope that they were all enjoying the “Miracle Games”; indeed the biggest Pacific Games ever staged. He reaffirmed the Samoan Government’s strong commitment to staging the 2019 Pacific Games because it realized that sport was a powerful tool for national development and the development of the people.

The Honorable Minister reported on the Pacific Sports Ministers meeting held on 6 July and the impact sport was making on government policy in the areas of the Sustainable Development Goals; the Physical Activity Action Plan 2030; and the development of national sports policies and a comprehensive regional sports policy. He noted the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Tuvalu would discuss the key recommendations for adoption.

The Honorable Minister also reported on an important piece of research being undertaken by his Ministry, with support from the University of South Pacific, to measure the socio-economic impacts of hosting the Pacific Games and thus better place sport into the country’s budget framework. This research would assist future Pacific Games host nations.

The Honorable Minister concluded by thanking the Council for entrusting the 2019 Pacific Games to Samoa. He wished the meeting well in its deliberations and then declared the General Assembly open.

The Chairman thanked the Honorable Minister for his remarks and again thanked him personally as well as the Prime Minister and the Government of Samoa for agreeing to host the 16th Pacific Games at such short notice. He wished the Honorable Minister a successful second week of the Games.

4. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, APIA, 17 JUNE 2018

The Chairman advised that the minutes of the 17 June 2018 General Assembly were circulated electronically several times in advance of the meeting and that hard copies had also been made available to the meeting.

The Chairman asked whether there were any amendments to the minutes required, and there being none forthcoming, he asked that the minutes be approved as a true record of the meeting. It was moved by Cook Islands, seconded by Norfolk Island, and approved by the meeting as a true record of the 2018 General Assembly.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE 2018 GENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES

The Chairman asked the delegates if there was any business arising from the minutes they wished to raise.

Hugh Graham (Cook Islands) asked whether an update could be provided on how the Tahiti Nui PGA’s suspension was resolved.

The Chairman said that matter would be addressed in the next agenda item under the Executive Board’s report.

There was no further business arising from the minutes and on a motion from Vanuatu seconded by Northern Mariana Islands, the minutes were formally adopted.

6. REPORTS

A. Executive Board Report

The Chief Executive Officer presented the Executive Board Report (refer attached PowerPoint presentation), which included information on its key activities: oversight of future Games Organising Committees, including Samoa 2019; the bid process for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games; the Council’s legal case against the Tongan Government for withdrawing as host of the 2019 Games; associate and life membership applications; the Council becoming a signatory to the WADA code; and the preparation of the 2018 audited financial statements.

The Chief Executive Officer also responded to the earlier question from Hugh Graham (Cook Islands) and advised the meeting on the lifting of Tahiti Nui PGA suspension, starting on a provisional basis not long after the 2018 General Assembly, and then fully following the AIBA-supervised Boxing selection trial in April. He said the Tahiti Nui PGA, under the leadership of President Provost, had cooperated fully throughout the process.

The Chairman invited questions from the floor.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said it was wrong of the Pacific Sports Ministers to meet in 2018 without inviting the Council and also to attempt to change the Constitution.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that the Council had commenced the Pacific Sports Ministers meeting at the in Rarotonga and had co-hosted it every other Games up until and including the in Vanuatu. He agreed it was wrong that the Council could not attend the 2018 meeting and were directed to media reports when a copy of the communique was requested.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chairman said no approaches were made to the Council to change its Constitution. He made it clear to the Ministers meeting on 6 July that the Council retained control and autonomy over its Constitution and Games protocols. Unfortunately, while no Minister raised the issue, it appeared again in the communique. He noted an unhelpful comment from Papua New Guinea’s Vice Minister for Sport who wrongly asserted that any surplus accumulated at the end of the Games reverted to the Council. He said when he tried to correct the record, he was denied the opportunity to do so by the Chair.

The Chairman reiterated his remarks from his opening address that to clear up these misconceptions, PGAs must enter MOU agreements with their respective Governments.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) said that his country’s Vice Minister for Sport did not consult with the Papua New Guinea PGA before making his comments.

The Chairman said that the Sports Ministers had agreed to meet next in 2021 in Palau.

With no further questions or comments, the Chairman asked the meeting to accept the Executive Board’s report, which was then formally accepted by acclamation.

B. Sports Committee Report

Marcus Stephen (Vice President – Sport) presented the Sports Committee report (refer attached PowerPoint presentation), which had met in Apia on 11 July. He said the key outcomes were:

• Establishment of the Sport Program Review parameters, to be conducted following the Games and presented to the 2020 General Assembly: o Size of the Games program o Compulsory sports list o New Sports and/or Events, including Para o Athlete pathways/qualifications o Continental Games for Oceania o Technical Officials, Delegates

• Endorsement of changes to the Regulations to be ratified by General Assembly – o Reg 5.24 and 6.24 Weightlifting: Adoption of the 10 new IWF weight categories for men and women, replacing the 8 previous categories o Reg 6.3 : Adoption of a change to the maximum numbers of entries whereby a team comprises a maximum of 6 men and 6 women, replacing the former “maximum of 9, no more than 6 of the same sex” o Reg 6.12 Powerlifting: for gender parity, allow an 8th female entry per PGA across the existing 7 weight categories

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Vice President – Sport observed that with over 5,000 participants at the Games, the sports program was functioning well. He said there were mixed results with the numbers of technical officials whose airfare costs were supported by their Oceania Federations, with special praise offered to Athletics and Swimming as well as the PGAs of and Tahiti for their contributions. He said this was an issue especially when sports were also hosting their Oceania Championships at the Pacific Games, and that this issue would be raised with OSFO as part of the Sports Program Review.

With no questions of comments, the Chairman asked the meeting to accept the Sports Committee’s report, which was then accepted by acclamation. He called for a vote to ratify each of the proposed amendments to Regulations 5.24 and 6.24 (Weightlifting), 6.3 (Badminton) and 6.12 (Powerlifting), each of which passed unanimously.

The Chairman then asked OSFO to deliver its report as Yvonne Mullins had to depart early to manage the Games’ Athletics program (agenda item #12 refers). A morning tea and photo break was then called at 10.45, with the meeting to resume at 11.10.

C. Marketing Committee Report

Laurent Cassier (Vice President – Marketing) presented the Marketing Committee report (refer attached PowerPoint), which had met in Apia on 12 July. The key outcomes were:

• Review of the very successful Samoa 2019 Sponsors program and partners • Review of the Samoa 2019 Host Broadcast and contributing regional networks • Preview of the Solomon Islands 2023 market

The Chairman thanked the Vice President – Marketing for his report and invited questions or comments from the floor.

Antoine Boudier (Vanuatu) said that VBTC was broadcasting the Games in Vanuatu and via Canal Plus it was being broadcast in France which was great exposure for the Games.

Charles Cali (Nouvelle Calédonie) said that there were issues with the broadcast’s sound early in the Games but that these had been rectified.

Dr Robin Mitchell (ONOC) said that at the next Games it was important to ensure the Olympic Channel was not geo-blocked in the host country so that athletes could connect with it on their phones and experience the Games coverage.

The Chairman thanked ONOC for assisting with the Olympic Channel negotiations.

With no further questions or comments forthcoming, the Chairman asked the meeting to adopt the Marketing Committee’s report, which it did unanimously by acclamation. 8

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

D. Audit & Finance Committee Report

Tamzin Wardley (Vice President – Audit & Finance) presented her report to the meeting (refer attached PowerPoint presentation and the copy of the audited 2018 financial statements distributed prior to the meeting on 29 May 2019). She informed the meeting that the Audit and Finance Committee had met on 9 July in Apia.

The Vice President – Audit and Finance’s report acknowledged that these were the fourth set of financial statements since the Council’s incorporation in Cook Islands and noted a small deficit of $37,000 had been recorded in 2018 due to end of year exchange losses. She noted that the Council held no long-term assets or debts and that all assets were either cash, held in operating accounts and term deposits, or receivables.

The Chairman thanked the Vice President – Audit & Finance for her report and invited questions from the floor.

Michael A. White (Northern Mariana Islands) asked that the financial statements be corrected to record his country’s name as Northern Marianas Sports Association, with the word “amateur”’ to be deleted.

Maru Talagi (Niue) similarly requested that his country’s name delete references to “Olympic Committee” as it was now known as Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association.

With no further questions or comments forthcoming, the Chairman asked the meeting to adopt the 2018 audited financial statements. A motion to that effect was moved by Guam, seconded by Fiji, and approved unanimously.

Turning to the requirement under Article 16.2(n) for the General Assembly to approve the amount in reserve, the Vice President - Audit and Finance said that the committee had recommended a small increase in the reserve from $984,000 to $1 million, notwithstanding the small losses incurred in 2018.

The Vice President – Audit & Finance said the Audit & Finance Committee would review the reserves policy over the next 12 months as obtaining a reserve of four years’ worth of expenditures would always be difficult if one-off costs (e.g. legal fees with Tonga 2019 court case) were continually added into the equation.

The Chairman said the Executive Board supported this small increase in the reserve to the symbolically important $1 million mark. He reminded delegates that the reserve was in place to sustain the Council in the event of a failed Games, or one in which no revenue was derived. But for Samoa’s generosity in stepping forward to host the 2019 Games, the Council would have needed to draw upon these reserves for the first time.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

He said it was appropriate to review the policy as $ 1 million may be enough of a target and, if so, it would then soon allow the Council to provide additional benefits to PGAs.

With no further questions or comments from the floor, the Chairman asked for a motion to approve the $1 million figure for the reserve in 2019. It was so moved by Cook Islands, seconded by Fiji, and passed unanimously.

E. Athletes’ Representative Report

Ryan Pini (Athletes’ Representative) presented a report of his activities (refer attached PowerPoint presentation), noting his role on the ONOC and FINA Athletes’ Commissions, the OSFO Executive Board, and his work on the PGC Sports Committee and Executive Board over the past year.

Ryan Pini applauded ONOC for delivering the well-regarded Voices of the Athletes program during the Games, which included the Athletes’ Representative election for the 2019-2023 period, for which he was a candidate. He said athlete safeguarding continued to be a focus of his work and the Council was moving towards having better processes in place at the next Pacific Games.

The Chairman invited questions or comments from the floor.

Auvita Rapilla (Papua New Guinea) asked whether the Council had a budget to support the Athletes’ Representative’s activities.

The Chairman replied that budget support was available upon request.

With no further comments, the Chairman thanked the Athletes’ Representative for his report, which was received by acclamation.

7. MEMBERSHIP

A. Associate Membership proposals for ratification (AUS, NZL)

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Executive Board had approved the applications of the Australian and New Zealand Olympic Committees to become associate members of the Council. Pursuant to Article 3 of the Constitution, he said this decision required the ratification by the General Assembly. He asked for a motion to ratify the decision. It was moved by Tonga, seconded by Cook Islands, Fiji and Marshall Islands, and carried unanimously.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chairman invited representatives of the associate members to address the meeting.

Kereyn Smith (New Zealand) thanked the Council for the endorsement of the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s associate membership and said it was nice to finally be part of the family. She congratulated Samoa on hosting a wonderful Games and said Team New Zealand was thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Games as it had in Port Moresby in 2015.

Matt Carroll (Australia) said the Australian Olympic Committee was honoured to be officially a part of the Pacific Games movement and that Australia looked forward to working with the Council to make the Pacific Games even stronger. He said Team Australia had loved participating in Samoa and he paid tribute to Samoa’s hosting of the Games. He informed delegates that a Brisbane bid for the 2032 Olympic Games had moved a step closer via recent meetings with the Australian Prime Minister and Queensland premier.

Hugh Graham (Cook Islands) asked whether the Australian Commonwealth Games Association could also be granted associate membership given that Australia has two peak multi-sport Games organisations.

The Chairman said that only one organisation per country could be recognised for associate membership, however the Council would negotiate with both bodies in Australia to ensure that athletes from non-Olympic sports could participate should they be invited by the Council to do so.

B. Life Membership proposal for ratification

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Executive Board had endorsed the application from the Nouvelle Calédonie PGA for Mr Roger Kaddour, one of the Council’s founding members in 1963, to be the inaugural recipient of life membership of the Council. Pursuant to Article 3, he said this application required the ratification by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly.

Before putting the application to vote, the Chairman asked the Chief Executive Officer to read out the biographical information on Mr Roger Kaddour as presented by the Nouvelle Calédonie PGA.

The General Assembly then ratified Mr Roger Kaddour’s life membership by acclamation and the Chairman presented him with a silver plate of appreciation. 11

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Mr Roger Kaddour said that he was very honored to accept the Council’s award of life membership and noted that whilst he was the oldest person in the meeting room, he was also the happiest. He thanked the Council and all its members for the work they were doing for sport throughout Oceania and for the youth of the region.

8. ORGANISING COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS

A. Samoa 2019

Patrick Fepulea’i (Vice President Samoa 2019 Games Organising Committee) said he was proud that the 16th Pacific Games were going so well. He conveyed apologies from Hele Matatia (CEO, Samoa 2019 GOC) who was attending to Games matters but noted that as the Vice President of the GOC he could attest to the excellent work that had been undertaken by Hele Matatia’s team to be ready to stage a successful Games. He wished all PGAs a successful second week of competition.

The Chairman thanked the Patrick Fepulea’i for his report and commended the Samoa 2019 GOC on the success of the Games thus far.

B. Solomon Islands 2023

Martin Rara (President, Solomon Islands PGA) introduced Christian Nieng from the Solomon Islands 2023 National Hosting Authority and consultant Clint Flood to present a progress report on the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games; which included:

• An explanation of the logo as the face of the 2023 Pacific Games, as launched by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister on 4 July • A video message from NHA Chairman, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, along with a music video that would be played during the Closing Ceremony flag handover segment • A summary of the Games Master Plan (refer attached PowerPoint presentation)

The Chairman thanked the Solomon Islands for their progress report and asked that the delegation convey the Council’s appreciation to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister and to NHA Chairman, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, for the work they had undertaken.

9. 2021 & 2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES

The Chairman asked the Chief Executive Officer to provide a summary of events since the Governor of Northern Mariana Islands withdrew support for hosting the 2021 Pacific Mini Games as planned due to Typhoon Yutu (refer attached PowerPoint presentation).

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chief Executive Officer reported that the Council, the host Northern Mariana Islands PGA and the Governor had all negotiated over the previous three months and had now agreed to a reduced sports program, consisting of Athletics, Badminton, , , and , with the possibility of some of the omitted sports from the 2014 bid being added back on if further funds were forthcoming.

The Chairman said that a lot of work had gone into retaining the 2021 Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Mariana Islands since the Governor’s withdrawal in March. He said the Northern Mariana Islands had won the bid unopposed in 2014 and the region had supported their ambitions to host the Games since that time. It was therefore important that every effort be made to find a solution that the governor could accept. He said the Governor had agreed to a reduced budget of $3 million to salvage the Games despite the political pressure to continue with the Typhoon recovery efforts. He said he was hopeful additional sports could be offered if further funds were obtained.

The Chairman then invited Michael A. White (President, Northern Mariana Islands PGA) and the Governor’s envoy, Congressman Marco T. Peter, to address the meeting.

Michael A. White informed the meeting of his PGA’s continued commitment to hosting the Games despite the on-going Typhoon recovery efforts. He said the facilities for the six sports were all open and operational, and if possible Open Water Swimming and would be added back onto the program.

Congressman Marco T. Peter conveyed Governor Torres’ regards to the Council President and members. He said Super Typhoon Yutu was destructive but the country was ready to embrace the 2021 Games and he thanked the Council for its patience.

With no questions or comments from the floor, the Chairman thanked Michael A. White and Congressman Marco T. Peter for their presentations, and he said the Council looked forward to its next General Assembly to be held in in 2020.

Turning to the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, the Chairman again asked the Chief Executive Officer to provide a summary of events since the 2018 General Assembly deferred the process to 2019 after the bids of American Samoa and Niue were at that time deemed non-compliant (refer attached PowerPoint presentation). These events included:

• The April evaluation of Palau’s bid as compliant and able to host the Mini Games • Extensions provided until 14 June to American Samoa to provide government guarantees, remedy defects in the bid (e.g. the sport of Fencing; the per diem higher than the recommended rate) and to agree to sign the Host agreement • The Council’s evaluation report of the Palau bid issued on 20 June • The American Samoa government guarantee provided on 21 June, but other aspects of the bid remained non-compliant (e.g. Host Agreement commitment).

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Following the presentation, the Chairman stated that the Executive Board’s recommendation to the meeting was that given American Samoa’s bid was again non- compliant under Protocol 1 of the Charter and thus unable to be fully evaluated, the 2025 Pacific Mini Games therefore be awarded to Palau.

Etisone Imo (American Samoa) asked that his Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Lemanu Peleti Mauga, be permitted to speak.

The Chairman welcomed the Lieutenant Governor and offered him the floor.

Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Lemanu Peleti Mauga, thanked the Chairman for his indulgence. He said he wished to take nothing away from Palau, which obviously had a good bid, but the people of American Samoa were excited for these Games and just wanted a chance for their youth. He apologized for any misunderstandings with the Council over the bid protocols and acknowledged that the Government was late with its support, but the support was now there, and the Government was ready to commit to hosting the Pacific Mini Games in 2025. He appealed to the Chairman and the Council members to give American Samoa an opportunity to be considered.

With no questions or comments on the Lieutenant Governor’s presentation, the Chairman said it was now time to move to the Executive Board’s recommendation.

Ethan Lake (American Samoa) asked the Chairman if the meeting could please vote between the two bids as to which one should be awarded the Games.

The Chairman said it would be inappropriate for him as the President of the Council to put a non-compliant bid before the General Assembly.

Hugh Graham (Cook Islands) asked the Chairman what the issues were that prevented American Samoa’s bid being evaluated and voted upon.

The Chairman said the Chief Executive Officer had already outlined the reasons but asked him to do so again.

The Chief Executive Officer reiterated his earlier comments from the attached PowerPoint presentation

• Extensions provided until 14 June to American Samoa to provide government guarantees, remedy defects in the bid (e.g. the sport of Fencing; the per diem higher than the recommended rate) and to agree to sign the Host agreement • The Council’s evaluation report of the Palau bid issued on 20 June • The American Samoa government guarantee provided on 21 June, but other aspects of the bid remained non-compliant (e.g. Host Agreement commitment).

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chief Executive Officer said that the proximity of these events to members congregating in Samoa for the 16th Pacific Games made the bid impossible to evaluate.

Cyrille Mainguy (Vanuatu) said that the members placed their trust in the Executive Board, and that whilst he felt sympathy for American Samoa’s predicament, the bidding rules that the Executive Board were seeking to enforce had to be followed.

Ethan Lake (American Samoa) said that he respected the Executive Board’s recommendation but that the General Assembly should decide this matter on an equal basis. He said American Samoa would sign the Host agreement if successful and it would remedy anything in the bid that was non-compliant. He asked for the patience of the General Assembly for the new team leading the American Samoa PGA, plus the fact that American Samoa had not hosted the Games since 1997. Their athletes needed this opportunity, and nobody would want to win a gold medal by default. American Samoa was thus reaching out to the members to take a decision to give them an equal chance.

The Chairman thanked Ethan Lake for his additional comments but said that American Samoa had the past 12 months to resolve these matters and it was now time for the Council to follow the Charter regulations and put the Executive Board’s recommendation to a vote.

The Chairman called for a vote on the Executive Board’s recommendation to award to the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to Palau, and with 15 votes in favour and six against, the motion was carried.

Frank Kyota (President, Palau PGA) thanked the Council for its decision and said Palau looked forward to hosting the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.

The Chairman congratulated Palau and then briefly adjourned the meeting to enable the three parties to duly execute the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Host Agreement, with the Palau Government represented by the Hon. Baklai Temengil, Minister for Community and Cultural Affairs.

10. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – HOST PGA FOR 2027 PACIFIC GAMES

Upon resumption of the meeting, the Chairman called for expressions of interest from PGAs intending to bid to host the 2027 Pacific Games.

Expressions of interest were received from American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

The Chairman thanked these six PGAs for expressing their interest and said it demonstrated the health of the Pacific Games that so many members wished to host it. He said the Chief Executive Officer would soon be in contact with each of these six PGA in order to advise them on the next steps in the process.

11. ONOC REPORT

Dr Robin Mitchell (President, ONOC) thanked the Chairman and member PGAs for their attendance last month at the funeral of the late Executive Director, Mr Dennis Miller. He commended the Council membership for accepting the associate membership applications of Australia and New Zealand and said that moving further towards a continental Games would assist with obtaining more resources in the next Olympiad.

Baklai Temengil (Vice President, ONOC) outlined ONOC’s engagement with the Pacific Sports Ministers’ meeting via the Pacific Sports Compass program.

Ricardo Blas (Secretary-General, ONOC) reminded ONOC members of the upcoming Chefs de Mission meeting in Tokyo from 20-23 August and the IOC forum to be staged in Nadi in October. He said ONOC’s next General Assembly would be held in the week commencing 13 April, with the days prior to that set aside for the Council to meet in Saipan. He also outlined the research project OSEP was undertaking at the Games.

The Chairman thanked the ONOC executives for their presentation and welcomed the close relationship the Council enjoyed with ONOC as the Pacific Games transitioned to being fully recognised as the continental Games for the Oceania region.

12. OSFO REPORT

Yvonne Mullins presented the OSFO report on behalf of Chairman Kevan Gosper who was an apology. She thanked the Council for allowing sport and the athletes to have a voice at the General Assembly and in the Sports Committee through her membership. She noted the growing partnership with the Council, and with ONOC and the CGF via the S4 Oceania group. She said OSFO was reviewing its strategic plan; its member benefits; its ability to mentor coaches and athletes via the Positive Edge journal; and its athlete support programs with Ryan Pini as its Athletes’ Representative.

The Chairman thanked Yvonne Mullins for her report and noted the very strong partnership the Council enjoyed with OSFO, which was, he said, an invaluable partner.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

13. COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEDERATION REPORT

Hugh Graham (Regional Vice President, CGF) updated the meeting on the Oceania CGAs regional plan for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which was formulated in Nadi after the ONOC meeting in March. He said there would be a further session on the regional plan immediately after the General Assembly and he thanked the Council for the use of the Sheraton Hotel meeting room. He reminded CGA delegates of the upcoming CGF General Assembly in Rwanda and thanked them for their support of his return unopposed as Regional Vice President for Oceania. He also advised the meeting that Australia was likely to bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Chairman thanked Hugh Graham for his presentation and welcomed the closer relationship the Council now enjoyed with the CGF.

14. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

The Chairman invited members to raise any items of additional business.

Patrick Fepulea’i (Samoa) commented on the direction the Pacific Games was taking as the continental Games for Oceania and said the Pacific needed to keep raising its standards. He urged the Council to expand Australian and New Zealand involvement in the Games to help Pacific athletes to improve further. He also referred to the Games Charter as a living document and urged the Council to review the eligibility clauses to ensure the best athletes could take part in the Games.

Maru Talagi (Niue) said he agreed with Samoa’s comments about further Australian and New Zealand involvement. He also asked the Council to consider assisting sports like Lawn Bowls which would not be played again in the Pacific Games before the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games which was the pinnacle competition.

Terry Sasser (Marshall Islands) said that as the Secretary-General of the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association, Australia’s involvement in the Beach Volleyball had been a success. He said the standard had been raised by their participation and noted that the Vanuatu Women’s team had defeated them which was a good outcome for the Pacific.

Michal A. White (Northern Mariana Islands) requested that the Council review the eligibility challenges and accreditation deadlines. Certain PGAs, he said, were inputting too many names for other PGAs to be able to properly research them all for residency compliance. He suggested limiting the number of names a PGA could enter into the accreditation system.

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Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 14 July 2019 Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Charles Cali (Nouvelle Calédonie) said that with six candidacies for the 2027 Pacific Games, the Council should consider expanding its evaluation committee membership to ensure better financial guidance was provided to bidding PGAs and their governments.

Helen Brownlee (Australia) thanked the Council again for approving Australia’s associate membership. She said Australia was also using the Pacific Games to develop its athletes and they were thoroughly enjoying the experience. She commended the Athletes’ Representative’s earlier comments on safeguarding and pledged to support the council’s work in this area through the ONOC Equity Commission.

The Chairman thanked the delegates for their comments, and he committed the Council to writing to each PGA after the Games to seek input into a full review of the Charter and the Games arrangements which took place routinely after each major edition of the Games. He said it was very important to continue to integrate Australia and New Zealand into the Pacific Games in order to raise standards but also to prevent event duplication as well as the drift of some sports’ Olympic qualification pathways into Asia.

15. NEXT MEETING AND CONCLUSION

The Chairman thanked the Samoan PGA and the Samoa 2019 Games Organising Committee for their contribution to the organisation of the meeting and wished them and all the PGAs the best of luck in the final week of the Games.

Finally, he thanked the interpreter, Margaret Russet, as well as the Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel and all its staff for their assistance during the meeting.

With no further business, the Chairman advised that the next meeting would be held in Saipan, most likely in April.

He declared the meeting closed at 2.00pm.

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